Ionization water treatment apparatus including carbon electrode

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an ionization water treatment apparatus. The ionization water treatment apparatus includes an electrostatic field generating element generating an electrostatic field, an insulating tube receiving the electrostatic field generating element and blocking temperature transmission between inner and outer parts of the insulating tube, a finishing element preventing water from flowing into the insulating tube, a housing receiving the insulating tube and the finishing element, and a housing connector coupled with the housing at one side of the housing connecting member. The electrostatic field generating element includes a metallic electrode, two carbon electrodes arranged at both sides of the metallic electrode, and a pipe assembling the carbon electrodes with the metallic electrode. The carbon electrode reacts with gas including fluorine (F 2 ) at a predetermined temperature so that a surface of the carbon electrode is treated. The carbon electrode includes F to represent a superior removal rate of heavy metals. Negative fluorine ions (F − ) of the surface of the carbon electrode are effectively bonded with heavy metals existing in the form of positive ions (+) in water, so that the superior removal rate of the heavy metals is represented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ionization water treatment apparatus including fluorine (F) such that a superior removal rate of heavy metals can be represented.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, when a conduit or a pipe (a water supply pipe or a drain pipe of a water tank) through which water flows is used for a long time, active oxygen contained in water reacts with iron (Fe) of the pipe to corrode the inner part of the pipe, thereby causing rust therein. In addition, foreign matters of water may be deposited in the pipe. Such rust and foreign matters are deposited in the pipe to form scale, slime, or slurry in the pipe that reduce the lifetime of the pipe and the flow rate of water. Further, water flowing through the pipe may be unsanitary to contain various materials (e.g., iron oxide, foreign matters, and bacteria) harmful to a human body.

In order to remove deposits and toxic materials from the pipe, cleaning tools such as a brush may be put into the pipe to remove rust or scale from the pipe. In addition, the pipe may be replaced with new one, so that problems related to the deposits or the toxic materials can be solved.

However, even though the problems related to the deposits or the toxic materials can be solved though the above methods, a lot of time is spent, and manpower and equipment are significantly required when the pipe is cleaned or replaced with new one. In addition, since the pipe must be cleaned or replaced with new one again within a short period, the methods may require excessive costs and be very ineffective.

Another water treatment method may be employed to extend the lifetime of the pipe or remove toxic materials from the pipe by using chemicals or a high-frequency generator. However, the chemicals may cause another problem. The high-frequency generator may require power consumption and complex installation.

Therefore, a recent industrial field has employed an ionization water treatment apparatus provided with an electrostatic field generating element to generate an electrostatic field and ionize water using the electrostatic field, thereby purifying the water through the ionization and cleaning the inner part of the pipe. The ionization water treatment apparatus does not require power, is environment-friendly, and is simply installed.

For example, Korean Patent Registration No. 0312152 discloses an ionization water treatment apparatus provided with an electrostatic field generating element capable of purifying water and cleaning the inner part of the pipe by ionizing the water through an electrostatic field as described above. In detail, the ionization water treatment apparatus disclosed in the patent includes the electrostatic field generating element, an insulating tube, a finishing element, a housing, and housing coupling members. The electrostatic field generating element generates an electrostatic field through the contact with water. The insulating tube receives the electrostatic field generating element and blocks temperature transmission between inner and outer parts thereof to prevent the performance of the electrostatic field generating element from being degraded due to moisture. The finishing element prevents water from flowing into the insulating tube.

The housing receives the insulating tube and the finishing element. The housing connectors are coupled to both sides of the housing such that the housing can communicate with the pipe. In this case, the electrostatic field generating element includes a carbon electrode made of carbon and a metallic electrode made of metal such as copper. The carbon electrode and the metallic electrode are inserted into and fixed to the pipe. As described above, water flowing into the ionization water treatment apparatus is ionized and activated due to the electrostatic field generated through the friction with the electrostatic field generating element. The active water that has been activated prevents scale or the like from being created in the pipe and removes the scale from the pipe. In addition, the active water prevents germs or bacteria existing therein from propagating. The ionization water treatment apparatus using an electrostatic field does not require power, is environment-friendly, and is simply installed.

However, in the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the related art, the removal rate (adsorption rate) of heavy metals contained in water may be degraded. In detail, water contains heavy metals such as iron (Fe), solder (Pb) harmful to a human body, and the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the related art does not include an additional device to adsorb and remove the heavy metals. Accordingly, the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the related art has a problem of representing a low removal rate of heavy metals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a carbon electrode for an ionization water treatment apparatus, which can represent a superior removal rate of heavy metals, a method for manufacturing the same, and the ionization water treatment apparatus including the same.

In order to accomplish the object of the present invention, there is provided an ionization water treatment apparatus, including an electrostatic field generating element generating an electrostatic field, an insulating tube receiving the electrostatic field generating element and blocking temperature transmission between inner and outer parts of the insulating tube, a finishing element preventing water from flowing into the insulating tube, a housing receiving the insulating tube and the finishing element, and a housing connector coupled with the housing at one side of the housing connecting member. The electrostatic field generating element includes a metallic electrode, two carbon electrodes arranged at both sides of the metallic electrode, and a pipe assembling the carbon electrodes with the metallic electrode, the carbon electrode reacting with gas including fluorine (F₂) at a predetermined temperature so that a surface of the carbon electrode is treated.

As described above, according to the present invention, the carbon electrode includes F through fluorine treatment to represent a superior removal rate of heavy metals. In detail, negative fluorine ions (F−) of the surface of the carbon electrode are effectively bonded with heavy metals existing in the form of positive ions (+) in water, so that the superior removal rate of the heavy metals can be represented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an ionization water treatment apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a carbon electrode of the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an assembled sectional view showing an electrostatic field generating element and a finishing element of the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the ionization water treatment apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown as a longitudinally assembled sectional view;

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the measurement results of a voltage as a function of time; and

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the measurement results of capacitance as a function of a constant current.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with respect to accompanying drawings. The attached drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an ionization water treatment apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a carbon electrode of the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an assembled sectional view showing an electrostatic field generating element and a finishing element of the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and, particularly, is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ionization water treatment apparatus of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes an electrostatic field generating element 100, an insulating tube 200, a finishing element 300, a housing 400, and housing connectors 450. The electrostatic field generating element 100 generates an electrostatic field. The insulating tube 200 receives the electrostatic field generating element 100 and prevents temperature transmission between inner and outer parts of the insulating tube 200. The finishing element 300 prevents water from flowing into the insulating tube 200. The housing 400 receives the insulating tube 200 and the finishing element 300. The housing connectors 450 are coupled with the housing 400 at one side thereof and coupled with a pipe at the other side thereof. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the ionization water treatment apparatus further includes a metallic outer case 500 provided therein with the housing 400 and the housing connectors 450. The metallic outer case 500 includes a metallic case body 520 and sealing caps 540 coupled with the metallic case body 520.

The electrostatic field generating element 100 generates an electrostatic field due to the contact (friction) with water. In detail, the electrostatic field generating element 100 at least includes carbon electrodes 120 and a metallic electrode 140. The electrostatic field generating element 100 may further include a pipe 150 fixing the carbon electrodes 120 and the metallic electrode 140. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrostatic field generating element 100 includes the metallic electrode 140 provided at a central portion thereof, two carbon electrodes 120 arranged at both sides of the metallic electrode 140, and the pipe 150 that is fitted with the carbon electrodes 120 and the metallic electrode 140 such that the carbon electrodes 120 and the metallic electrode 140 are arranged in the sequence of the carbon electrode 120, the metallic electrode 140, and the carbon electrode 120. The pipe 150 is made of synthetic resin. The pipe 150 may be provided therein with a hollow part 153 allowing water to flow therethrough, and provided at an outer peripheral surface thereof with second screw parts 151 allowing the carbon electrodes 120 and the metallic electrode 140 to be coupled with the pipe 150. The metallic electrode 140 is molded in the form of a rod including metal such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), or zinc (Zn). The metallic electrode 140 is provided at an inner peripheral surface thereof with a screw part such that the metallic electrode 140 is coupled with the central portion of the pipe 150 as shown in FIG. 1.

If the carbon electrodes 120 have a fluid passage allowing water to flow therethrough, the carbon electrodes 120 are within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the carbon electrodes 120 have a honeycomb structure to expand the contact area with water. FIG. 2 shows the carbon electrode 120 according to a preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the carbon electrode 120 is provided at one side thereof with an outer peripheral surface having a first screw part 121 coupled with the finishing element 300 and a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of through holes 122 is formed such that the generation efficiency of static electricity can be improved. The carbon electrode 120 is provided at the other side thereof with a porous cylindrical body having a first expansion part 125 and the first screw part 121 formed at an inner peripheral surface of the first expansion part 125 such that the first expansion part 125 is assembled with the pipe 150.

Referring to FIG. 3, static electricity is generated due to the contact (friction) between the carbon electrodes 120 and water. The static electricity is collected on the carbon electrodes 120 (+) and discharged to the metallic electrode 140 (−), so that a weak electrostatic field having a high voltage is formed perpendicularly to water flow between the carbon electrodes 120 and the metallic electrode 140. In more detail, when a conductive fluid (water) passes through an ultra-high magnetic field, that is, perpendicularly to a magnetic flux, potential is generated, based on Fleming's rule in which electromotive force is induced when a conductive material passes through a magnetic field. Accordingly, the static electricity is generated due to the friction on the contact surface of the carbon electrode 120 and water, and such static electricity causes the weak electrostatic field having a high voltage between the carbon electrodes 120 and the metallic electrode 140. The water (H₂O) flowing through the electrostatic field is ionized into hydrogen ion (H⁺) and hydration ion (OH⁻) such that ion-activated water is formed. Hereinafter, the ion-activated water will be described in more detail. When a conductive fluid (water) flows through the ultra high electric field, that is, perpendicularly to a magnetic flux, potential is generated based on Fleming's rule, in which electromotive force is induced when a conductive material passes through a magnetic field. After ions have been dissolved due to the potential, the ions are subject to ion concentration and ion collision by a lorenz electric field to cause water to be ionized into hydrogen ion (H⁺) and hydration ion (OH⁻). Thus, the water is activated, and the activated water is called the ion-activated water. If the carbon electrode 120 is a porous cylindrical body having a honeycomb structure in which the through holes 122 are formed, the contact area with water is expanded so that the intensity of the static electricity is increased.

The crystalline structure of water molecules of the ionized water is finely decomposed, so that the ionized water is more quickly rotated. Accordingly, the ionized water is changed into water having strong activity. In other words, since the crystalline structure of water molecules have cations (hydrogen ions (H⁺)) and anions (hydration ions (OH⁻)) due to potential caused by a magnetic field, the water molecules become “molecules having electrons” and the crystalline structure of the water molecules slightly represents neutrality. When water having impurities passes through a magnetic field, the dynamic equilibrium state of the water molecules and the impurities contained in the water is changed due to the magnetic field.

Accordingly, such activated water absorbs active oxygen into the crystalline structure thereof. Therefore, the activity of oxygen causing the corrosion of a pipe is degraded to prevent rust of the pipe. In addition, since force is generated between the ion-activated water and oxygen ions to allow the ion-activated water to attract the oxygen ions as described above, reduction reaction is caused to change red rust (Fe₂O₃) into black rust (Fe₃O₄), thereby removing the rust. When the ion-activated water attracts the oxygen ions, the oxygen ions are not derived from the ion-activated water, but from the red rust (Fe₂O₃).

The following chemical formula represents the change of the red rust (Fe₂O₃) into the black rust (Fe₃O₄).

[Chemical Formula]

3Fe₂O₃

2Fe₂O₃+1/2O₂

As shown in the chemical formula, heavy metal ions (e.g., Fe ions) dissolved in water are prevented from being red rust due to an excessive amount of oxygen ions and become black rust. The chemical formula represents reduction reaction in which oxygen ions are separated from the red rust.

The insulating tube 200 surrounds the electrostatic field generating element 100 to prevent temperature transmission with an exterior, so that the performance of the electrostatic field generating element 100 is prevented from being degraded due to moisture. Generally, the insulating tube 200 may include a synthetic resin cylindrical body capable of ensuring an insulating property.

The insulating tube 200 may include a cylindrical body, which is made of synthetic resin such as polyvinyl chloride or polytetrafluoro ethylene (generally known as Teflon), and molded with an inner diameter identical to an outer diameter of the finishing element 300. Preferably, the insulating tube 200 may have fine naps obtained through surface treatment. The naps formed through the surface treatment perform a buffering function between the finishing element 300 and the electrostatic field generating element 100. The naps are interposed between the finishing element 300 and the housing 400 such that the finishing element 300 closely makes contact with the housing 400 through the insulting tube 200.

The finishing element 300 is coupled with the electrostatic field generating element 100 to prevent water from flowing into the insulating tube 200. The finishing element 300 is mold by using synthetic resin. The finishing element 300 has one side provided at an inner peripheral surface thereof with a third screw part 301 that can be assembled with the first screw part 121 of the carbon electrode 120. The finishing element 300 has the other side formed with an inclined surface 302 enabling water to flow to the electrostatic field generating element 100, that is, the carbon electrode 120. Rubber packings such as O-rings are interposed between the finishing element 300 and the carbon electrode 120 and between the carbon electrode 120 and the pipe 150, such that water flows only into the electrostatic field generating element 100, and does not leak to an exterior through a gap between the finishing element 300 and the carbon electrode 120.

The housing 400 and the housing connector 450 may be molded using metal (e.g., brass). The housing 400 preferably has an internal diameter identical to an outer diameter of the insulating tube 200. The housing 400 may be provided at both outer peripheral surfaces thereof with fourth screw parts 401 assembled with the housing connectors 450. The housing connector 450 is provided at one side thereof with second expansion parts 455 and at the other side thereof coupling tools 458. The second expansion part 455 is provided at an inner peripheral surface thereof with fifth screw parts 451 such that the housing connector 450 can be assembled with the housing 400. The coupling tool 458 is provided at an outer peripheral surface thereof with the fifth screw parts 451 such that the housing connector 450 is connected to a pipe. As shown in FIG. 1, preferably, the coupling tool 458 has an outer diameter decreased to a pipe such that the coupling tool 458 is easily inserted into the pipe. Such housing connectors 450 are assembled with the housing 400 at both sides thereof, in a state in which the insulating tube 200 receiving the electrostatic field generating element 100 and the finishing element 300 is inserted into the housing 400. In addition, a rubber packing (not shown) is interposed between the finishing element 300 and the housing connector 450 to prevent water from leaking a contact part between the finishing element 300 and the housing connector 450.

As described above, the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention may have a typical structure including the electrostatic field generating element 100, the insulating tube 200, the finishing element 300, the housing 400, and the housing connectors 450. The ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention may further include the metallic outer case 500 receiving the housing 400 and the housing connecting members 450 therein for the purpose of protecting the above components from an external shock and for the purpose of insulation from an exterior as described above. The metallic outer case 500 includes the metallic case body 520 having a cylindrical body shape and the sealing caps 540 that have a circular shape and are coupled with at both sides of the metallic case body 520. The sealing cap 540 is provided at a central portion thereof with a coupling hole 548 such that the coupling tool 458 of the housing connector 450 is exposed to an exterior through the coupling hole 548 and connected to the pipe. In addition, coupling grooves 526 are formed at inner peripheral surfaces of both sides of the metallic case body 520 such that the metallic case body 520 is easily fitted with the sealing caps 540, and the sealing caps 540 are provided thereof with extension parts 546 corresponding to the coupling grooves 526.

In this case, preferably, the metallic outer case 500 includes first and second water discharging holes 525 and 545. Condensed water may exist between the housing 400 and the metallic outer case 500, and the condensed water is naturally drained to an exterior through the first and second water discharging holes 525 and 545. Accordingly, the condensed water is prevented from being accumulated such that the ionization water treatment apparatus does not corrode, or is not frozen to burst. The first and second water discharging holes 525 and 545 may be formed in the metallic case body 520 and/or the sealing caps 540. In detail, the first and second water discharging holes 525 and 545 may be formed only in the metallic case body 520 or only in the sealing caps 540. In addition, as shown in drawings, the first and second water discharging holes 525 and 545 may be formed at both the metallic case body 520 and the sealing cap 540. In this case, if the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention is horizontally installed, the condensed water may be drained through the first water discharging hole 525 formed in the metallic case body 520. If the ionization water treatment apparatus is vertically installed, the condensed water may be drained through the second water discharging hole 545 formed in the sealing cap 540. After the assembly of the housing 400 and the housing connector member 450 is accommodated into the metallic case body 520, the coupling tool 458 of the housing connector 450 is inserted into the coupling hole 548 of the sealing cap 540 and then coupled with a fastening member 560 such as a bolt or a nut.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ionization water treatment apparatus having the above structure according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the ionization water treatment apparatus having the above structure has a wide contact area with water to increase the treatment efficiency of ionization water, and has an endurable assembly structure. In addition, the ionization water treatment apparatus having the above structure naturally drains condensed water from a space S between the metallic outer case 500 and the housing 400 through the first and second water discharging holes 525 and 545.

If the carbon electrode 120 is molded by using carbon materials and fluorinated to contain fluorine, the carbon electrode 120 is adaptable for the present invention. In detail, if the carbon electrode 120 is molded by using carbon materials such as carbon, graphite, and carbon nanotube and contains fluorine, the carbon electrode 120 is adaptable for the present invention. In this case, fluorine may be contained through reforming reaction before the carbon electrode 120 is molded or through surface reforming reaction after the carbon electrode 120 has been molded. In more detail, after the carbon materials (carbon, graphite, and carbon nanotube) having the form of fine particles are introduced into a reaction furnace, gas including fluorine is supplied into the reaction furnace and the reforming reaction is carried out, thereby obtaining a carbon material containing fluorine. Thereafter, the carbon electrode 120 is molded in a typical method by using the carbon material having fluorine. Thus, the carbon electrode 120 may contain fluorine. Preferably, the carbon electrode 120 may contain fluorine by treating the surface of the carbon electrode 120, which has been previously molded, using fluorine. In detail, the carbon electrode 120 is preferably manufactured by preparing the carbon electrode 120 having a predetermined shape (preferably, a porous cylindrical body as shown in FIG. 2) and treating the surface of the carbon electrode 120 through reaction with gas including fluorine. In this case, the gas including fluorine is adaptable for the present invention if fluorine is contained in the molecular structure of the gas. For example, the present invention may employ one kind of gas or the mixture of at least two kinds of gases selected from the group consisting of fluor (F₂), hydrogen fluoride (HF), nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃), boron trifluoride (BF₃), phosphorus trifluoride (PF₃), phosphorus pentafluoride (PF₅), methylfluoride (CH₃F), tri-fluoro methane (CHF₃), carbon tetra-fluoride (CF₄), difluoroacetylene (C₂F₂), tetrafluoroethylene (C₂F₄), hexa-fluoro ethane (C₂F₆), and perfluoropropane (C₃F₈).

When the carbon electrode 120 reacts with the above gas including fluorine, it is preferred that the reaction is achieved in a reaction furnace having a temperature of 300° C. or less (in detail, a reaction furnace between a normal temperature and a temperature of 300° C.) such that a specific surface area and a pore structure of the carbon electrode 120 are not deformed. In this case, the gas including fluorine may be supplied into the reaction furnace together with carrier gas such as air, argon (Ar), helium (He), or nitrogen (N), and the reaction furnace may usefully employ thermal chemical vapor deposition equipment such as horizontal reaction furnace or vertical reaction furnace, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As reaction time (contact time) between the carbon electrode 120 and the gas including fluorine is lengthened, an amount of fluorine contained in the carbon electrode 120 may be increased. However, if the reaction time is excessively increased, a lot of time is spent with respect to the whole processes. In addition, an amount of carbon (C) of the carbon electrode 120 is decreased, so that the characteristic of the carbon electrode 120 may be degraded. Accordingly, it is preferred that the reaction time is within about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes. In this case, in order to supply the carbon electrode 120 into the reaction furnace, after putting the carbon electrode 120 into a container or a support such as a nickel boat, the container may be introduced into the reaction furnace. In order to retrieve the carbon electrode 120 that has been subject to the surface treatment, the container such as the nickel boat may be withdrawn from the reaction furnace under a high temperature. In another way, after the temperature of the reaction furnace is decreased from a high temperature to a normal temperature, the carbon electrode 120 may be withdrawn out of the reaction furnace by using a tool or an automatic retrieving device.

According to the present invention, fluorine (F) is covalent-bonded (C—F) with carbon (C) on the surface of the carbon electrode 120 due to the above fluorine treatment, so that the removal rate of heavy metals can be increased. In detail, fluorine atoms that have been subject to covalent-bond on the surface of the carbon electrode 120 are charged with negative ions in water and bonded with positive heavy metal ions existing in the water. Accordingly, the heavy metal ions can be effectively removed from water.

In more detail, fluorinated carbon formed by fluorinating carbon or graphite represents properties different from typical carbon bodies with various non-stoichiometric structures (CFx)n according to materials and reaction conditions. In addition, the physical and chemical properties of the fluorinated carbon largely vary depending on the content of fluorine (F). Since the fluorinated carbon has various colors and electrical conductivity properties depending on superior lubricity, flowability, abrasion resistance, a hydrophobic property, stability at a strong oxidizing atmosphere, a high thermal cracking temperature, and a fluorinated degree, and has properties suitable for industrial purposes, the fluorinated carbon can be utilized as functional materials (e.g., high temperature solid lubricants, an anode material for a lithium primary battery, a metal oxide film remover, and toner additives of copy machine) in various application fields. The singularity of the fluorinated carbon can be adjusted according to materials or reaction conditions.

Chemical bonds are variously formed according to reaction temperatures under fluorine treatment conditions according to the present invention. In other words, when a carbon material or a graphite material is fluorinated at a normal temperature to a temperature of about 300° C., a C—F covalent bond occurs on the surface of the carbon material. However, the C—F bond depends on reaction temperatures and reaction conditions. Accordingly, carbon (C) is ionic-bonded with fluorine (F) at a temperature of about 100° C., and covalent-bonded with the fluorine (F) at a temperature of about 300° C. or more. In addition, carbon C is semi-ionic bonded with fluorine (F) at the temperature range between 100° C. and 300° C.

In addition, the C—F bond is variously formed depending on the raw material of carbon (C) and reaction conditions. Fluorinated carbon (C-Fx)n contains fluorine (F) forming a strong C—F bond with carbon (C) having a lattice structure through fluorination reaction and fluorine (F) adsorbed in a basic skeleton of the fluorinated carbon (C-Fx)n. When the fluorinated carbon containing a great amount of adsorbed fluorine (F) is put into fluoride-isopropanol mixture solution in which kalium iodine (KI) is dissolved, iodine (I₂) is produced with kalium fluoride (KF) even at a normal temperature. This means that the absorbed fluorine (F) easily reacts with another material. As described above, chemical reaction for the fluorinated carbon (C-Fx)n may include ionic bonding, semi-ionic bonding, and covalent bonding depending on reaction conditions.

Generally, a probability (electron density), in which one of two different atoms of a molecule formed through covalent bonding is found around an atomic nucleus of the other, varies depending on electronegativity values of the two atoms. Thus, this bonding represents asymmetric electron density, called “polar linkage”. The degree of polarity is related to a difference in electronegativity between bonded atoms. When the difference in electronegativity between the atoms is great, the covalent bond represents a strong polarity. When the difference in the electronegativity between the atoms is less, the covalent bond represents a weak polarity. In the case of the C—F bond, the electronegativity value of fluorine (F) is 4.0, and the electronegativity value of carbon (C) is 2.5. The difference (ΔEN) in the electronegativity between the atoms becomes 1.5. Accordingly, the C—F bond represents polar covalent bond, the fluorine (F) represents a negative pole, and the carbon (C) partially represents a positive pole.

If an ionization water treatment apparatus employs the carbon electrode 120 including fluorine (F), the ionization water treatment apparatus is within the scope of the present invention. The ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention may be installed on a water supply line in a livestock industry or a gardening industry, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention may be connected with a pipe for supplying water to livestock in the livestock industry or a pipe for supplying water to plants in the gardening industry.

As described above, the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention ionizes or activates water to prevent rust. In addition, finely-dissolved water molecules may act to combine with atoms or molecules existing in water to form a greater crystalline structure, so that the water molecules have solubility similar to that of pure water. Accordingly, hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxyl ions (OH−) are easily dissolved in various inorganic materials and organic materials to delaminate and remove foreign matters or scales attached to the inner part of a pipe and to prevent harmful germs or bacteria of water from propagating. In addition, the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention does not require power and is environment-friendly. Further, since the molecules of water (active water) activated by ions form finely-divided clusters (the group of molecules), the water molecules quickly rotate. Accordingly, the water is quickly absorbed into cells of animals and plants as well as humans to promote the organic growth of humans and animals and activate an electrolyte such that various kinds of heavy metals and waste matters are quickly removed. Accordingly, essential nutritious substances are smoothly supplied into a body of the humans and the animals. Further, the ionization water treatment apparatus according to the present invention represents the superior removal rate of heavy metals due to the carbon electrode 120 including fluorine (F).

Hereinafter, an experimental example according to the present invention and a comparative example will be described.

Experimental Example

A carbon electrode (carbon rod) having a rod shape was put into a reaction furnace under an atmosphere of helium gas (He), and the temperature of the reaction furnace was boosted to about 200° C. Next, fluorine gas (F₂) and helium gas (He) was introduced into the reaction furnace at the ratio of about 1 volume to about 10 volumes, and then this state was maintained for about 30 minutes. In this case, the internal surface of the reaction furnace was previously passivated using fluorine gas (F₂) such that the internal surface of the reaction furnace does not react with fluorine gas (F₂) or helium gas (He). Next, the carbon electrode was cooled for one hour without the supply of the fluorine gas (F₂), so that a fluorinated carbon electrode (carbon rod) was obtained.

Then, the carbon electrode (carbon rod) and a metal electrode (aluminum rod) were infiltrated into FeCl₃ solution of about 1.0 mole/L and then charged to 0.9V with a constant current of 10 mA/g. Next, a voltage as a function of time was measured, and the measured results are shown is a graph of FIG. 5. In addition, capacitance (F/g) as a function of a constant current (mA/g) was measured, and the measured results are shown in a graph of FIG. 6.

Comparative Example

When comparing with the above experimental embodiment, the comparative example was performed under the same condition except that a carbon electrode (carbon rod) was not fluorinated, and a voltage as a function of time and capacitance (F/g) as a function of a constant current (mA/g) were measured. The measured results are represented as graphs of FIGS. 5 and 6.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, results according to the embodiment are marked as “F200”, and results according to the comparative example are marked as “Raw Carbon”. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the embodiment employing a fluorinated carbon electrode represents that the decrease degree of the voltage as a function of time is lower. Meanwhile, the increase of the capacitance refers to the increase of adsorption ability with metallic ions (Fe³⁺ of an electrolytic solution). As shown in FIG. 6, the embodiment (“F200”) employing the fluorinated carbon electrode represents greater capacitance.

The above estimation results have been ever disclosed in following references 5, 6, and 7.

The C—F bond is variously formed depending on raw materials of carbon (C) and reaction conditions. Fluorinated carbon (C-Fx)n contains fluorine (F) forming a strong C—F bond with carbon (C) having a lattice structure through fluorination reaction and fluorine (F) adsorbed into a basic skeleton of the fluorinated carbon (C-Fx)n. In addition, fluorine (F) forms fluorine-graphite intercalation compounds (see reference 5).

As described above, ionic bonding, semi-ionic bonding, or covalent bonding can be performed depending on reaction conditions of fluorine (F) of the present invention. Accordingly, the fluorine-graphite intercalation compounds of graphite or pyrolytic graphite having high orientation and the fluorine (F) represents a voltage significantly higher than that of the graphite. Especially, discharge potential of the fluorine-graphite intercalation compounds varies depending on the density of fluorine (F) in fluorinated graphite. In addition, a carbon material or a graphite material that has been directly fluorinated for a short time of period under a temperature of about 100° C. to about 500° C. has a capacity higher than a theoretical capacity of an electrode material. 

1. An ionization water treatment apparatus, comprising: an electrostatic field generating element generating an electrostatic field; an insulating tube receiving the electrostatic field generating element and blocking temperature transmission between inner and outer parts of the insulating tube; a finishing element preventing water from flowing into the insulating tube; a housing receiving the insulating tube and the finishing element; and a housing connector coupled with the housing at one side of the housing connecting member, wherein the electrostatic field generating element comprises: a metallic electrode; two carbon electrodes arranged at both sides of the metallic electrode; and a pipe assembling the carbon electrodes with the metallic electrode, and wherein the carbon electrode reacts with gas including fluorine (F₂) at a predetermined temperature so that a surface of the carbon electrode is treated.
 2. The ionization water treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein the carbon electrode reacts with fluorine gas (F₂) at a normal temperature to a temperature of about 300° such that the carbon electrode is subject to surface treatment.
 3. The ionization water treatment apparatus of claim 2, wherein a surface of the carbon electrode is treated by using the F₂ at a temperature of about 200°. 